India gets Nato ally-like status as U.S. Senate passes legislative provision

In a legislative provision passed by the U.S. Senate, India has come at par with America's North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies and countries like Israel and South Korea for increasing defence cooperation. As per a proposal of the National Defense Authorisation Act or NDAA for the fiscal year 2020, India gets this new standard.

The legislative provision was passed by the U.S. Senate last week which was introduced by Senate India Caucus Co-Chair Senator John Cornyn. Cornyn did this with the support of Senate India Caucus Co-Chair Senator Mark Warner.

As per the amendment, India obtains increased U.S.-India defence cooperation in the Indian Ocean in the areas of humanitarian assistance, counter-terrorism, counter-piracy and maritime security.

A similar legislative proposal was also introduced by House India Caucus Co-Chair Brad Sherman, along with Congressmen Joe Wilson, Ami Bera, Ted Yoho, George Holding, Ed Case and Raja Krishnamoorthi. The legislative proposal was introduced to the House FY2020 NDAA that would greatly enhance the US-India relationship.

HAF managing director Samir Kalra said, "Elevating India to non-NATO status is vital, now more than ever, for the US, for India, and for the entire region.”

India was recognized as a 'major defence partner' by the United States in 2016. this designation had empowered India with the power to buy more advanced and sensitive technologies from America along with its closest allies and partners.

The Senators Cornyn and Warner were commended for their efforts in advancing the U.S.-India strategic partnership by the Hindu American Foundation in a statement.

Congressman Sherman said, "Whether we do that with freestanding legislation or whether we do that with an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act matters, I think, very little. What matters is that we recognise the importance, in a tangible way, of the US-India alliance."

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